Advantages: Incredible songwriting and performances Disadvantages: The title track
Japan left behind their post punk aggression completely after the slightly schizophrenic "Quiet Life" and became one of the most original groups in English pop with their fourth release, "Gentlemen take polaroids".
Gone are the screaming guitars and raucous vocals and in is a more sophisticated sound and musical style.
Things that were hinted at on "Quiet life" now took centre stage as the still young band began to craft intelligent and evocative ... ...like no-one else and whilst they were dumped in with the new romantic fad, they were nothing like it.
The five piece (David Sylvian - vocals. Steve Jansen - drums. Mick karn - Bass. Richard Barbieri - synths. Rob dean - guitar) recorded in Air and Townhouse Studios in London in 1980 under the production eye of John Punter. The results divide fans as to whether this or "Tin drum" is their best offering. It is certainly better than it's predecessors.
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Advantages: Play - When you're turning Japanese. Disadvantages: Don't Play - At the rugby club disco.
This iconic album from the 1980's could be considered cheesey by many. But I adore these smooth electronic sounds from the post-ska-revival days when it was actually desirable for a man to look effeminate, in fact it was the only sure way to pick up a girl. This must be Japan's masterwork and the album delivers sinuous melodies that are dominated throughout by a gloriously expressive fretless bass and consistently inventive percussion. David Sylvian ... ...soft harmonics, he spreads his voice over these songs like a chef pours chocolate over the richest of deserts. There are three stand-out tracks on the album, "Ghosts" was the single and is a tortured and lumbering outpouring of a lover's loss. Contracting with this are the signature sounds of "Canton", a completely irrepressible Japanese-styled instrumental and the heavily bass-grooved "Visions of China".
You will not have anything else like this ...
Advantages: arguably the greatest album in the world Disadvantages: none at all
...you prefer, God. The extremely long fade is a masterful stroke and almost makes the listener wonder if the song was ever there at all. Spirit Of Eden takes the listener on an amazingly emotional journey. It is quite possibly the greatest album I have ever heard. ...
Advantages: Excellent price for CD and DVD package Disadvantages: DVD could have lasted a bit longer
...you about this one.
Astronaut is the bands newest release from last year that have now had a few hits from. You may remember that Reach up for the Sunrise made it to the top ten with a good beat and everybody waving their arms into the sky "Reach up for the sunrise". Some of the other hits include "taste the Summer" which recently a Supermarket chain aquired as it was a catchy tune to list their products to !
This album proves that Duran Duran ... ...the early 80's. If you do not remember their music that well from the 80's it was roughly the same time that Spandau Ballet were around and in some ways the songs were slightly similar but Duran Duran had a faster pace to them, also Soft Cell started out on their career with some of the same beat.
Recently you can compare Duran Durans work to the sound of "Blur" as the group have got a slightly different pace to them in the 2000's and more of a ...
Advantages: Duran Duran at their raw best Disadvantages: Only 9 tracks, just not long enough!!!!!
Duran Duran is the first release by the birmingham based band and is by far in my opinion their most exciting work.
With the singles girls on film and planet earth which do not sound at all dated some 24 years later the album starts brilliantly. Other tracks less well known to non "duranies" but great all the same are friends of mine and nightboat . Having listened to this album first as a 13 year old i would say it changed my idea of music and ...
Excellent performance, tonnes of steam, ventilated ironing board (*)
